Bushmaster Varminter break in

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cory7mm

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I was wondering if you guys are very careful with how you break in your ar's? I have a bushmaster varminter 223 with the 24in barrel with 1 in 9 twist and haven't shot it yet. How would you suggest breaking it in so it's accurate? I was hoping it's not a whole day process like with some of my bolt guns. I plan on maybe breaking it in with some federal 556 ammo I have (about 40-60 rounds) then shooting some hornady superformance 53gr through it if I can find some more, since I only have a box of those... But how often would you clean it and everything since it's brandnew and needs broke in?
Thanks
 
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Take it apart, clean & lube before you take it to the range.
Load it up & go shooting, clean after the 1st 10 rounds or so, shoot 10 more, clean & go for it, nothing to "break" as thats way over rated. Ive yet to see any difference and I never shoot 1 clean, shoot 1 clean one for 10 rounds then 15 rounds...waste of good time.
 
Waste of barrel life and ammo. Lube up the bolt and shoot it. No break in needed. I lube my bolt everyonce in a while and only clean the barrel when accuracy starts to go, wich is about 500rds.
 
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I have the exact same gun. I followed Bushmasters instruction for break-in. It shoots an honest.5 MOA with reloads.
 
what are their instructions? It's the 24in 1 in 9 twist barrel and it's stainless. How do I know what barrel it is? Are all their 24in barrels on those guns the same? Is it chrome lined or lapped or? Not sure how I find this out...
 
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Originally Posted By: cory7mmwhat are their instructions? It's the 24in 1 in 9 twist barrel and it's stainless. How do I know what barrel it is? Are all their 24in barrels on those guns the same? Is it chrome lined or lapped or? Not sure how I find this out...

Call the manufacturer and ask!
 
Originally Posted By: cory7mmI was wondering if you guys are very careful with how you break in your ar's? I have a bushmaster varminter 223 with the 24in barrel with 1 in 9 twist and haven't shot it yet. How would you suggest breaking it in so it's accurate? I was hoping it's not a whole day process like with some of my bolt guns. I plan on maybe breaking it in with some federal 556 ammo I have (about 40-60 rounds) then shooting some hornady superformance 53gr through it if I can find some more, since I only have a box of those... But how often would you clean it and everything since it's brandnew and needs broke in?
Thanks


I called Bushmaster they told me 150 rounds down the pipe. So every 30 rounds, I pulled a brush with No.9 and patches. I use a Otis cleaning kit. I use a cable not a rod.
 
Fact: even "unbroken" barrels will shoot 1" or less, why waste time and ammo "breaking" it in, unless you'll be competing in some world championship don't bother.
 
Ive had several big dollar custom rifles built over time and have followed break in proceedures religeously. Fact is I've had similar guns that were taken right to the range without so much as running a patch down the barrel. What I have learned.....Unless your an OCD type and it means something to YOU, I've never noticed one shred of evidence that following a break in process enhances anything. Just my observations.

I've wasted a lot of time, effort and ammo over the years learning this. Just my $.02
 
My instructions said. "A new barrel will shoot best if careful attention is given to proper break-in. Differing opinions exist as to what constitutes proper break-in, however, we recommend that no more than 20 rds be fired at one time before cleaning the barrel-for the first 60 rds. Each time the barrel is cleaned for the first 120 rds, it must be thoroughly cleaned, removing all traces of copper and fouling." This instruction sheet is for Bushmaster Varminter & Predator rifles. I wasn't born with knowledge of all things so sometimes I follow the instructions given by the people who make the products.
 
As far as barrels. I believe they made 3 barrels. Yours 24" 1-9 stainless which isn't chrome. My nephew has that gun. Mine which is 24" 1-9 fluted chrome moly which is not chrome lined. They also made a 20" 1-8 barrel. Hope that helps.
 
Sorry to sound stupid not knowing what I have, but i'm use to bolt guns with light triggers, so do most people change out the bushmaster varminter trigger or is it usually good enough to keep? Not sure the differences and if it's adjustable.
 
It is adjustableable but not very much. There was also instruction on that with a new gun. My Stag is way lighter than the Bushmaster. But the Bushmaster is what I use for winter & sometimes cold fingers with lite triggers aren't good. Good luck
 
Originally Posted By: flowj My instructions said. "A new barrel will shoot best if careful attention is given to proper break-in. Differing opinions exist as to what constitutes proper break-in, however, we recommend that no more than 20 rds be fired at one time before cleaning the barrel-for the first 60 rds. Each time the barrel is cleaned for the first 120 rds, it must be thoroughly cleaned, removing all traces of copper and fouling." This instruction sheet is for Bushmaster Varminter & Predator rifles. I wasn't born with knowledge of all things so sometimes I follow the instructions given by the people who make the products.

And sometimes they throw out such statements to keep people who are ignorant on the subject from calling them constantly to figure out what barrel break in is. Just shoot the gun like you will be using it and clean it when accuracy falls off. You will hear all kinds of stuff on this subject, do whatever makes you feel good. After all it is your rifle and if you are asking about barrel break in then you must have already convinced yourself that it is actually needed.
 
What is the break in process going to do? What is it that you are really achieving? Is running that brush down the barrel by a novice shooter After every 5-10 rounds for an undetermined amount of time possibly more destructive than just loading it up and shooting??? Just a thought??!!
 


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